Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 19, 2026

STAPLE!

STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo is an annual convention in Austin, Texas, United States, for alternative comics, minicomics, webcomics, zines, underground comics, and graphic arts. Chris Nicholas founded the conference as a gathering place for professional artists and amateur creators, "a showcase for the folks who publish comics and zines and possible literary masterworks out of their own apartments."

Last revised
Jun 19, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
406 w
Citations
9
Source
Wikipedia ↗
STAPLE!
StatusActive
GenreAlternative comics
Venuevarious venues in Austin
LocationsAustin, Texas
CountryUnited States
Inaugurated2005
FoundersChris Nicholas
Organized byChris Nicholas/Austin Books
Websitewww.staple-austin.org

STAPLE! The Independent Media Expo is an annual convention in Austin, Texas, United States, for alternative comics, minicomics, webcomics, zines, underground comics, and graphic arts. Chris Nicholas1 founded the conference as a gathering place for professional artists and amateur creators,2 "a showcase for the folks who publish comics and zines and possible literary masterworks out of their own apartments."3

The show is sponsored by Austin Books,1 an Eisner-nominated comic book store and the site of the largest gathering of artists for the worldwide 24-Hour Comics Day held in 2005.4

Additional sponsors include Rogues Gallery: Comics + Games, ECPrinting.com, Dragon's Lair: Comics & Fantasy, KOOP (FM), Motorblade Postering Services, CKP communication agency of record, and Bumperactive.com.

History

The 2020 show, scheduled for October, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.5 The show returned in 2024.6

Event dates and locations

  • March 5, 2005: BPOE #201
  • March 4, 2006: Red Oak Ballroom
  • March 3, 2007: Red Oak Ballroom
  • March 1, 2008: Monarch Event Center
  • March 7, 2009: Monarch Event Center
  • March 6, 2010: Monarch Event Center
  • March 5–6, 2011: Marchesa Hall and Theatre
  • March 3–4, 2012: Marchesa Hall and Theater
  • March 2–3, 2013: Marchesa Hall and Theater
  • March 1–2, 2014: Marchesa Hall and Theater
  • March 7–8, 2015: Marchesa Hall and Theater
  • March 5–6, 2016: Marchesa Hall and Theater
  • September 9–10, 2017: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
  • September 8–9, 2018: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
  • October 12–13, 2019: Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex
  • October 2020: Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • April 13-14, 2024: Mabee Ballroom, St. Edward's University
  • April 12-13, 2025: Mabee Ballroom, St. Edward's University7
  • April 11-12, 2026: Mabee Ballroom, St. Edward's University8
See also

See also

References

References

  1. Brenner, W. A. (March 1, 2007). "Man and Myth: Comic-book artist Dean Haspiel set to attend Staple! Independent Media Expo". ARTS. The Austin Chronicle.
  2. Thomas, David (Feb 19, 2014). "Staple! Holds the Austin Indie Comic Book Scene Together". The Austinot.
  3. Brenner, Wayne Alan (March 4, 2005). "Collating the Underexposed". The Austin Chronicle.
  4. Gertler, Nat, ed. (2005). 24 Hour Comics Day Highlights 2005. Ben Avery. ISBN 0-9753958-6-6..
  5. Uncle Staple [@Staple] (June 20, 2020). "Hey, everyone, sorry for the radio silence..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. Stewart, Lex (Mar 22, 2024). "Indie media expo draws together Austin comics, zines, games, and more". Culture Map Austin.
  7. "STAPLE! 2025 poster". STAPLE! Austin.
  8. "STAPLE! Austin". STAPLE! Austin.
External links